The
ideal time to control most weeds is when they are actively growing.
This is usually in the warmer months. There are a few that can be
controlled at any time of the year.

Two
of those significant to this area are Serrated Tussock (Nassella
trichotoma) and
Cineraria (Cineraria
lyratiformis). Both
species are, unfortunately, common, and have adaptations for wind
dispersal, but can also be spread by water, contaminated fodder,
animals and vehicles.

Cinneraria
has bright yellow flowers with eight petals which are borne in flat
topped clusters at the ends of the branches. Mature leaves are oblong
in shape and deeply divided. Juvenile leaves are small and rounded
with soft serrations, somewhat similar to geraniums.

Cineraria
is an annual plant that can grow and flower through winter. Being an
annual, the root system is not very extensive and most plants can be
pulled out.

This
plant has the ability to produce seeds even if it is pulled out with
young buds present. Therefore plants with any sign of a flower or bud
must be bagged and later destroyed. At present there are no chemicals
registered for Cineraria
lyratiformis.

Cineraria
is palatable to sheep and can be effectively controlled by confining
a number of animals over an infestation. This plant is highly
invasive and a dense perennial pasture is the best way of preventing
seedling survival.

Serrated
Tussock is a highly invasive perennial grass, which, if left
untreated, can take only seven years to dominate a pasture or native
grassland. It has low grazing value due to a high fibre and low
protein content.

The leaves of Serrated Tussock are very fine and when rolled between the index finger and thumb, roll smoothly – like a needle. In Autumn and Winter the leaves are a yellow-green, the tips of older leaves are often bleached by frost.

Serrated tussock

Isolated
Serrated tussock plants can be dug up before flowering and turned
upside down so no roots make contact with the soil. Fluproponate is
the main chemical used in the control of Serrated Tussock. It is a
residual chemical that will stop seedlings emerging for a period of
about 2 years. Fluproponate is somewhat selective in that it will
only kill certain types of grass. However, many of the grasses
susceptible to Fluproponate are highly beneficial.

As
with Cineraria a dense perennial pasture is the best way of
preventing seedling survival.

Further
information for identification of Cineraria can be found on the web,
for example http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds or
http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

There
are also many good resources for Serrated Tussock on the web.
However, Serrated Tussock as a grass is a lot more difficult to
identify, and more importantly, to distinguish it from other similar
species. A hands on approach is recommended.

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